Link chain



Sept 27, 1938- G. w. ALDEEN ET Ax. l 2,131,261

LINK CHAIN Filed April 5, 1957 Patented Sept. 27, 1938 Y Y' UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE LINK CHAIN Gedor W. Aldeen, Rockford, Ill., and Sern Madsen, Clinton, Iowa, assignors, by mesne assignl ments,V to Curtis Companies Incorporated,

Clinton, Iowa, a. corporation of Iowa ApplicationApril 5, 1937, Serial No. 135,124 12 Claims. (C1. 254-95) An objectof our invention is to provide a link a guide, C the link chain embodying our invenchain of simple, durable and inexpensive contion, and W a Worm for operating the chain. struction. The chain C comprises a series of straddle or A further object is 'to provide a link chain thrust elements S and a series of tension elements which comprises a continuous row of single and T. The tension elements T have perforations double tension links, each of which is partially I to receive pivot pins I 2. The straddle or enclosed by an outer or straddle link, thestraddle thrust elements S arev channel shaped as best link having gashes cut therein for coaction with shown in Figure 2, having webs I4 and iianges worm threads or other operating mechanism for IB.

imparting longitudinal movement tothe chain. Gashes I8 are cut in the webs I4 for coaction 10 A further object is to provide pivotpins for the with the tooth of the worm W, as shown in Figtension elements of the chain links and to proure 1, or with any other suitable type of operat- Y videY the straddle elements with pin bearing ing device for imparting longitdinal movement notches engaging the peripheries of Vthe pivot to the chain C.

16 pins, thus providing thrusting relationship be- The ends 2D of the straddleelements VS are tween the straddle elements and to also retain adapted for thrusting engagementwith` each them on the tension elements. other, while the iianges I6 are provided withpin Still a further object is to provide'straddle elebearing notches 22 adapted to engage the periphments with semiecircular notches so engaging eries ofthe pivot pins I2. g Y

20 pivot pins that limited pivotal movement of one The tension elements T are successively ar- 20 straddle element relative to the next is permitted, ranged single and double, as shown in Figure 4, yet the pivot pins so coact'with the notches. that and are positioned between the iianges I6 of the straddle elements are retained in. position on the straddle elements S. After the pivot pins I2 theV tension elements; are inserted through the perforations. IIJ and A further object is to provide a linkchain through the notches 22, they are riveted or their 27 5 which presents a smooth surface alongits sides ends headed as indicated at 24. The links'of with only the headed ends of the pivot pins eX- the chain are thus held in assembled position tending therefrom, this being accomplished by with the tension elements partially enclosed by providing the outer elements of 'the links arthe straddle elements.

ranged in thrust relationship as distinguished The ends of the tension elements T are elon-V 3 0 from overlapping relationship for thrust and tengated as indicated at II on the drawing. This sion as in most link chains. elongation is greater than half the width ofthe With these and other objects in View, our inlink.

'vention consists inthe construction, arrange- Tension links of similar chains are usually ment and combination of the Avarious parts of rounded at their ends on a radius, the center of 35 our link chain, whereby the objects contemplated which is the axis of the pivo-t pin. The links T are attained,`as hereinafter more fully set forth, it will be noted, however, are elongated at II a pointed out in our claims, and illustrated in the distance greater than such radius, and this is accompanying drawing, in which: done for the sole purpose of gaining more overf 4o Figure `1 is a side elevation of a link chain lapping of the tension links, and hence greater 4,0 embodying our invention and showing it passinherent resistance of the chain when the links ing through a curvedguide means andan operthereof are assembled in multiple against lateral ator in the form of aworm coacting therewith or sidewise bending of the chain. ThisefEectively for imparting movement tothe chain with rclaincreases the .rigidityV of the chain and eliminates tion to the curvedvguide means. f Y the necessity of having to arrange'the straddle 45 Figure 2 is a perspective view of one of the elements S with overlapping portions 'for' this straddle or thrust elements of. the link chain. purpose.` Y

Figure 3 is a perspective view of. one. of the The ends of the straddle elements areV cut tension elements of the link chainyand back at an angle below the pinrbearing notches Figure 4 is a bottom .plan view ofv the chain 22, as indicated at 26. This permits deflection of 5o showing the association, between the tension and the chain C in one direction, its deiiection in the thrust elements andgvtheir assembled relationopposite direction being prevented or limitedjto ship to each other. a straight line movement by the ends 20of the On the accompanying drawing, we have used straddle elements. This permitsbendingo the the referencecharacter'G to indicate generally chain as it passes through the Yguide-'Gr and Q5 straight line movement of the chain after such passage.

A chain of this character is adaptable for many uses, one use being shown in the Madsen Patent Number 2,017,543, issued October 15, 1935, wherein a chain is disclosed as an opening and closing device for hinged sashes or easement Windows, such chain however lacking the improved features of our present chain.

by the pivot connection of the tension elements T with each other, while thrust is effectively taken. care of by the end-to-end relationship of the straddle elements S. All of `this is accomplished without having to overlap one end ofV one straddle element relative to the adjacent end of the next straddle element, thus presenting smooth side surfaces for the chain, with the exception, of course, of the slight projections caused by the heads 24 on the pivot pins I2. The pivot pins so coact with the notches 22 that the straddle elements after being assembled cannot be dislocated relative to the tension elements, yet, due to the angularity ofthe shoulders 26, the chain may readily flex in one direction.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of our link chain without departing from the real spirit and purpose of our invention, and it is our intention to cover by our claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a link chain, a flexible chain-like element comprising a series of links, said links comprising straddle elements and tension elements, said tension elements having perforations and pivot pins through the perforations of the successive tension elements, said straddle elements having their ends in thrust relationship with said pivot pins interposed between them, said ends partially encircling said pivot pins to prevent displacement of said straddle elements from said tension elements.

2` In a link chain, a chain-like element comp-rising a series of links, said links comprising perforated tension elements and sheet metal blanks, each of said blanks being bent to form a central web and flanges on each side thereof, said Vweb having a gash throughout its width, said tension links being positioned between the flanges of said blanks and pivot pins through the perforations of the successive tension elements. i

3. In a link chain, a flexible chain-like element comprising a series of links, said links comprising straddle elements and tension elements, said tension elements having perforations, pivotY pins through the perforations of the successive tension elements, said straddle elements' being in thrust relationship with'the peripheries of said pivot pins, the ends of Vsaid pins being headed over the outer surface of said straddle elements.

4. A linkchain comprising a'series of links, said links comprising straddleelements and tension elements, said tension elements'Y having 'perforations, pivot pins extending therethrough, said straddle elements having their `ends in thrust relationship with` said Ypivot Vpins interpc'isedY be-` tween" them and said Y straddle elements Y having operating notches outside the outline of said tension elements. V Y u l l f 5. In a link chain structure, a flexible chainlike element comprising straddle elements Vand tension elements, said tensionelements having perforations, pivot pins extending through the- Tension on the chain is eifectively taken care of perforations of the successive tension elements, said straddle elements having their ends in thrust relationship with their pivot pins interposed between them, said ends partially encircling said pivot pins to prevent displacement of said straddle elements from said tension elements.

6. A link chain structure comprising a plurality of chain-like elements, each having channel shaped outer lelements and tension elements Vtherewithin, each of said channel shaped elements having a gash in its web for coaction with lan operator and pivot pins extending through said tension elements, said channel shaped elements having pin bearing notches with successive notches engaging opposite sides of said pivot pins, said notches being less than a half circle to permit deflection of one channel shaped element relative to the next successive channel shaped element.

'7. A link chain member comprising a plurality of links, each comprising tension links and channel shaped straddle links, said tension links being received between the flanges of said straddle links said straddle links having both their webs and their flanges abutting yeach other when the chain member is in straight position.

8. A link chain member comprising a plurality of spaced tension elements, another plurality of spaced tension elements spanning the distance between said first plurality of spaced tension elements, pivot pins extending through said tension elements and straddle links enclosing said tension elements and an adjacent pair of said straddle links having end contact only with opposite sides of the diameter of one of said pivot pins located between them.

9. A link chain member comprising a plurality of spaced tension elements, another plurality of spaced tension elements spanning the distance between said rst plurality of spaced tension elements, pivot pins extending through said tension elements and straddle links enclosing said tension elements, said straddle links having pin bearing notches engaging the peripheries of said pivot pins.

10. A link chain member comprising a plurality of spaced tension elements, another plurality of spaced tension elements spanning the distance between said first plurality of spaced tension elements, pivot pins extending through said tension elements and straddle links enclosing said tension elements, said straddle links having pin bearing notches engaging the peripheries of said pivot pins, said notches being less than a half circle to permit deflection of said chain member.

11. In a link chain of the character disclosed, a plurality of successively arranged tension elements pivoted together, a plurality of channel shaped thrust elements partially enclosing said tension elements and means for retaining said channel shaped elements on said tension elements yet permit flexing of said link chain member.

12. In a link chain of the character disclosed,

a plurality of successively arranged tension elements pivoted together, a plurality of channel shaped Vthrust elements partially enclosing said tension elements and means for retaining said channel shaped elements on said tension elements yet permit flexing of said link chain member, said means comprising notches formed in the ends of said channel shaped elements and partially encircling the pivot pins which connect said tension elements together.

GEDOR W. ALDEEN.

SERN MADSEN. 

